Carelessness may be to blame for brokers charging Victoria’s fire services levy (FSL) on policies after its July 1 removal.

Deputy FSL Monitor David Cousins says about 10 reports to his office have featured “peculiar” aspects, such as extensions to contracts written before July that took effect afterwards.

The levy may have been carried into the post-FSL period by accident, he told insuranceNEWS.com.au.

Dr Cousins says there have been enough complaints to prompt a reminder to brokers and consumers that the levy must not be paid after July 1, and to place advertisements telling customers to check policies taken out through brokers.

On October 14 insuranceNEWS.com.au reported that FSL Monitor Allan Fels had warned brokers they face fines of up to $10 million if consumers are given false and misleading information about the levy’s removal.